Striker Lee Hughes, who was strongly linked with a move to Vale Park in the last loan window, has ruled himself out of action until the New Year.

“It’s difficult though, even for me, to believe that , when it’s supposedly ‘sick until the transfer window opens’…

Hughes, currently with League One side Notts County, was all set to join the Valiants before November’s loan window closed, but the move fell through as Vale failed to submit the paperwork to the Football League in time.

The day after the loan window shut, Notts County confirmed that a “proposed loan deal for Lee Hughes to go to Port Vale was discussed” but “as it was so late in the day, the paperwork did not go through in time.”

Now it has been revealed that Hughes has handed in a “sick note” that will rule him out of playing for Notts County until January.

The illness that Hughes is suffering from has not been made public and as a medical certificate has been produced, it could be that Hughes is indeed suffering from an undisclosed medical condition.

However, some County fans have speculated that the move is merely a ploy by Hughes to facilitate a January move from the club – possibly to Vale Park.

Hughes’ relationship with manager Keith Curle is said to have deteriorated with the striker no longer a regular in the County starting eleven.

One County fan speculated on a popular Notts County messageboard that: “It’s difficult though, even for me, to believe that , when it’s supposedly ‘sick until the transfer window opens’ … Perhaps he doesn’t want to risk an injury before his move?”